Shaft alignment
Rotating machines are particularly susceptible to misalignment. And this can have fatal consequences. Find out more about our important alignment check service (shaft alignment).
How do we carry out a shaft alignment? What are the advantages of shaft alignment?
You can also read about the consequences that incorrect alignment can have for you and your company.
MAINTENANCE: SHAFT ALIGNMENT
In mechanical engineering, the term shaft alignment describes the alignment of shafts on a Coupling.
The focus is on the correct positioning of rotary axes so that all connected shafts are aligned at the point of power transmission. However, some coupling types are also intentionally misaligned. This is the case with the cardan shaft, for example.
Positioning is of great importance both in direct drives and in drivetrains.
LASER-OPTICAL ALIGNMENT OF SHAFTS
At PMP, we use state-of-the-art laser-assisted alignment systems for optimum shaft alignment. Old-fashioned alignment methods, such as dial gauges, are very time-consuming on the one hand and regularly lead to inaccurate test results on the other.
Our maintenance service therefore includes a suitable alignment check, which prevents uneven wear. You then receive not only data records (evaluations), but also a competent error analysis with subsequent solution measures.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR COUPLING IS MISALIGNED?
Misalignment of the Coupling has an extreme effect on the shaft. Unwanted machine vibrations lead to signs of wear. This not only affects the shafts themselves, but also bearings and seals. Rolling bearings are sensitive machine elements that only function perfectly with minimal tolerances. Stress caused by misalignment is also unacceptable for seals.
As a result, the service life of the machine is drastically reduced and high follow-up costs are virtually unavoidable.
Misaligned shafts are not uncommon. Long downtimes, subsequent production losses and the resulting increase in maintenance costs are the result.
Misalignment also leads to increased vibration and friction, which can cause energy consumption to skyrocket.
CAN FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS COMPENSATE FOR MISALIGNMENT?
In this blog post, we have compared rigid and flexible Couplings. Now the question naturally arises as to whether a flexible Coupling needs to be aligned at all. After all, it was designed precisely to cushion uneven movements. In addition, the flexible coupling is recommended to compensate for a strong shaft misalignment, but studies have shown that even flexible couplings can exert forces due to misalignment, which can have avoidable consequences.
However, there is no generally valid formula for tolerable misalignment of flexible couplings. The possible misalignment depends, among other things, on the speed and the permitted misalignment values (axial, radial, angular misalignment).
Please contact us, we can determine the range of tolerable misalignment based on the coupling type.
ADVANTAGES OF AN ALIGNMENT CHECK
In short: alignment control only has advantages for you and your company’s processes. We would like to give you an overview of the most important advantages here:
– Reduced wear and extended service life and service life of the systems and machines
– Less expenditure on maintenance (reduction of planned and unplanned costs)- Reduced expenditure on spare parts (e.g. seals and bearings)
– Minimizing production downtime and increasing operational reliability
– Reduction in energy costs
Everything together increases and optimizes your operating processes and their results.
HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE FIRST SIGNS OF MISALIGNMENT?
Misalignment often occurs if you have replaced the motor or other components in your application (e.g. on a ship) and the alignment was not checked afterwards. When aligning the motor, for example, just a few millimetres can make all the difference. Additional costs and failures are inevitable.
Primary symptoms of misalignment are only possible with special instruments. However, you can also observe possible misalignment by means of secondary consequences.
Among other things, look out for increased oil loss, which can indicate worn seals. Increased vibrations compared to other machines should also make you prick up your ears. In addition, many clutch failures are of course also a warning sign of possible misalignment.
PMP IS HAPPY TO HELP YOU
We are your partner for the professional repair and maintenance of your machine. Our inspection and maintenance services enable your company to run smoothly.
Please feel free to contact us.
Would you like to read more about maintenance? Read on here and find out more about PMP’s maintenance work
